Author: Sarah Rowe

Howdy! I am writing my blog post today to tell you about another Platinum sponsor. Jetpack makes a ton of powerful WordPress security and performance tools. Check them out anytime at jetpack.com.

This is way cool! GoDaddy is a Platinum sponsor of WordCamp Rochester! I can’t wait to talk with them in their virtual sponsor room. GoDaddy Pro has a ton of free time-saving tools to manage client sites. Check out their free tools anytime.

Whoa! Bluehost is a Platinum sponsor of WordCamp Rochester 2020! Be sure to check out their virtual sponsor room. Maybe I’ll see you then! Bluehost provides fast website creation methods and management tools. Besides talking with Bluehost on October 3, you can check out their website anytime at www.bluehost.com.

I am loving this! I have a Platinum sponsor to rave about today. WP Engine gives companies of all sizes the agility, performance, intelligence, and integrations they need to drive their business forward faster. I know you want this! Check them out at www.wpengine.com anytime and in their virtual sponsor room. Maybe I’ll run into you there!

While exploring Rochester, I’ve been occasionally confused with a beaver – of all things! Now I have nothing against beavers, but I’m a Wapuu!

But one place that this has never happened is when I’ve visited one of Rochester’s best kept secrets, ArtisanWorks – a truly one of a kind art gallery.

The place is amazing and packed with 40,000 sq feet of all kinds of art from a full size, detailed, wood sculpture of a Harley Davidson motorcycle by Ross Rider to paintings, taxidermy, stained glass, sculptures, antique cars, etc. They have some very special rooms such as the Frank Lloyd Wright Room and another space that has a kitchen, Japanese dining and a pool table and that isn’t even the half of it.

It’s the kind of place where I’m constantly punching my companion in the arm, saying “Look at this!” It can change your mind about what an art gallery is all about. Here’s an article that does a much better job of describing ArtisanWorks than I can. It is a one-of-a-kind place and is not to be missed!

What is your favorite food? Mine is cookies, of course! And not the kind of cookies that pop-up on websites either. My favorite cookies are Wegmans chocolate chip cookies. If you aren’t familiar with Wegmans, it is definitely worth a visit. They have all kinds of cookies!

Rochester is home to Wegmans. It had its beginning in 1916 when John and Walter Wegman, brothers, began to sell fresh produce via push carts on local streets. In 1930 they opened their first 20,000 square foot grocery store and today they have 98 stores. They pride themselves on quality, choice, prepared foods and superb customer service.

I’ve become a rather well known foodie in my circles and I love to shop at Wegmans. I even take visitors there – it is that special. So if you are in the mood for a little take-out, some coffee, your favorite cookie or a treat during your visit be sure to stop by, you might even see me there.

When I am not gallivanting around to WordCamps I’m exploring my hometown, Rochester NY. At first, I was confused by Rochester’s nickname. Is it “Flour City” or “Flower City”? Once it was explained to me, it made perfect sense! Rochester used to be known as the Flour City because of all the flour mills that dotted the Genesee River. The Genesee River and Erie Canal helped to power the flour mills along with providing fertile soil and transportation by waterways in addition to the railway. As flour processing moved to the Midwest, the largest seed companies in the world, started by immigrants, were based in Rochester and were the reason for the nickname change to “Flower City”. Read more on the history of Rochester at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Rochester,_New_York#Rochesterville_and_The_Flour_City

I’ve had the chance to visit the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House https://susanb.org/ where I learned that the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote, was named in her honor. I also learned that Frederick Douglass https://rocdouglass.com/ lived in Rochester for many years and published his first abolitionist newspaper here.

I hope while your here to attend WordCamp Rochester 2019 you’ll have a chance to visit Rochester and Monroe County. There’s a lot to do here.

I’ve been asked what my favorite food is. I’m surprised more of you haven’t guessed! I’ll let you know the answer next week.

I am a huge fan of George Eastman, a famous Rochester philanthropist and founder of Eastman Kodak, who generously supported the Rochester community. I love that the WordPress community is so open and welcoming to all, with people willing to give their time and expertise to anyone who needs it. If it wasn’t for George and his Eastman Kodak company, founded in Rochester, where might we be today with photography?

I am George Eastman’s number one fan. I’ve even been accused of dressing like him. And it is true I do try to dress like him! He was so stylish! The only problem I have with the way Eastman dressed is trying to find pants – they often don’t have a hole for my tail!

My favorite camera is the folding Brownie camera first introduced in 1900 by Eastman Kodak – I carry it with me wherever I go. So if you see me on the side of the road thumbing a ride – as I’m not old enough yet for a driver’s license – I hope you’ll offer me a lift. Then we can take a picture of us and I’ll post it on the selfie wall of my WordPress site!

I just love exploring Rochester. Some people even think I know a whole lot about my home town and I have to admit, I love to tell a good story – complete with photos of course. But, more about my Rochester explorations next time. In the meantime you might want to consider visiting The George Eastman House https://www.eastman.org/ .